Special Containment Procedures: Researches are advised to don Personal Protective Equipment that covers the neck, as well as long sleeves and gloves when working with SCP-XXXX. Current live specimens are located in container 248-F in Cryo lab B, as well as several dead and preserved examples on loan to the Smithsonian.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a species of parasitic hornet native to Central China, specifically south-west of the Luo River in present day Shaanxi Province. Adults can grow as long as 8 cm, with a wingspan of 14 cm, making them the largest species of hornet currently documented. SCP-XXXX has a top flight speed of 50km/hr.

Males have a poisonous stinger approximately 0.8cm long and produces neurotoxins known to block the reuptake of pain neurotransmitters. Females lack a stinger, and instead have a prehensile ovipositor.

Adult diets are carnivorous mainly consisting of insects, rodents, and small birds.

Life Cycle: Reproductive cycles of SCP-XXXX consists of four stages. Egg, larva, pupa, and adult. In rare cases SCP-XXXX can reproduce both asexually as well as sexually, though eggs must still be incubated through a host.

Female hornets seek out sedentary, sickly, or dying mammals in which to deposit eggs, including humans. SCP-XXXX reproduces via traumatic insemination with a modified ovipositor similar in structure to the mouthparts of the mosquito. Due to the amount of eggs released during deposits females must lay their eggs in their hosts largest, and most superficial arteries. No research has yet been done as to how SCP-XXXX is able to locate suitable arteries in hosts. Most common deposit sites in humans are the Carotid Arteries of the neck, the Ulnar Arteries in the wrists, and the Femoral Arteries in the thighs. Each deposit can release upwards of 20,000 eggs into the bloodstream of the host.

Following successful deposit, the eggs of SCP-XXXX are dispersed throughout the host body. Larva hatch some 2-6 hours after laying and larvae burrow through blood vessel walls and attach themselves to passing structures, usually skeletal muscle or blood-rich rich organs like the liver or heart. The host often experiences dizzyspells, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, and other flu-like symptoms. Some petechial hemorrhaging may be present on the skin, and a noticeable raised area is present at the deposit site.

Larval stage consists of rapid growth wherein SCP-XXXX begin to consume the host. Waste products from larvae have a high risk of causing acute renal failure, as well as risk of triggering an anaphylactic response and premature death. Hosts with large amounts of larvae in cardiac tissue may experience a Myocardial Infarct. Muscle pain is described as “itching” or “burning” which consistently worsens over a 60-90 day period.

Pupae begin to develop at around the two month mark, characterized by hard cysts. Number of pupae can vary widely, with reported cases as low as 20, to as high as 1,200. This period lasts approximately 5-7 months and is relatively pain free. SCP-XXXX pupae create a hard shell of protein making drug delivery impractical. Surgical removal of Pupae is similarly impractical when number of identified pupae is above 100.

The adult stage of SCP-XXXX is marked by the eruption of pupae cysts. Adults will eat their way out of the host, a process taking upwards of a week to complete entirely. Superficial adult hornets are more likely to survive the birthing process as deeper cysts are often oxygen starved. Hosts have been known to survive up to 36 hours into the birthing cycle.

Adult SCP-XXXX live approximately 2 months. Females can mate anytime during this cycle, but are limited to 1, sometimes 2 egg deposits. As stated previously this species generally reproduces sexually, however females can self inseminate in the event no males are present.

Treatment Individuals who suspect they have been infected by SCP-XXXX have a two day window from moment of deposit to be treated effectively. Treatment for parasitic SCP-XXXX after 2 days has a marked increase mortality rate due to high incidents of acute liver and/or renal failure. Three month survival rate is as high as 70%, with one year survival rates functionally 0%1.

Cultural Significance: Culturally SCP-XXXX has been influential to residents of the area. Archaeological discoveries from the Peiligang culture has unearthed clay earthenware with rudimentary depictions of hornets attacking people. Regional fashions also reflects a deep fascination with SCP-XXXX, most notably with the region's famous yellow and black striped cowls and bangles.

Currently international trade of live SCP-XXXX specimens are strictly illegal, however there remains a niche trade in dried and preserved hornets to collectors and practitioners of Chinese Medicine.

Hello! Please write your drafts in the sandbox (also linked to in the How to Write an SCP guide)and link to the sandbox in the original post. Thank you! ~Decibelle

Footnotes

1. [Two examples of one year survival have been verified in the over 60,000 cases documented]